Journey to the West (Xiyouji) is a literary masterpiece rooted in the historical pilgrimage of the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang (602–664 CE) to India in search of Buddhist scriptures. Over centuries of layered cultural creation, it absorbed diverse influences—myths, folklore, religious teachings, and performative arts—to evolve into a literary classic blending adventurous storytelling with philosophical depth.
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[Journey to the West]Origins of the Monkey King
We know that Journey to the West is a fictional work based on the historical 7th-century pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang to India. Xuanzang is portrayed as the monk Tang Sanzang, while his disciples draw inspiration from historical figures and myths.
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